There is no shortage of needs on the Pittsburgh Steelers entering the offseason, but this selection in a recent 2022 NFL mock draft caught me off guard.
The Steelers brass recently attended the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Already, they have met with several quarterbacks, and I expect this to be a huge area of interest throughout the offseason now that Ben Roethlisberger is officially retired.
In addition to needing a new franchise quarterback, Pittsburgh is weak across the entire offensive line, they need to improve their top-end talent at the quarterback position, could use depth along the interior defensive line, and will be in need of an upgrade at the linebacker position.
Simply put, there are too many holes to fill this offseason and not enough draft capital to fill them all. Fortunately, their favorable cap situation should allow them to do some of this via free agency.
However, I was completely caught off guard with who Pro Football Network had the Steelers taking in their most recent mock draft. Despite a plethora of pressing needs at major positions, PFN had Pittsburgh going with Alabama WR Jameson Williams with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Here’s what PFN writer James Fragoza had to say:
"20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jameson Williams, WR, AlabamaJameson Williams tore his ACL in the national championship, but he already put enough on tape to earn a Round 1 selection. The early 20s should be his floor due to his top-end speed, aggressiveness at the catch point, and start-stop ability."
Jameson Williams is certainly an intriguing prospect. Prior to his injury, there was a good chance that he would have concluded the 2022 offseason as the consensus number one receiver entering the draft this year. Alabama has a terrific track record at the position, and Williams has elite speed to burn cornerbacks down the field.
Jameson Williams pick is just not realistic for the Steelers
Admittedly, Pittsburgh’s offense is lacking explosion and deep speed in the passing game, and this is something the team is going to have to address… eventually, that is. However, for the time being, I don’t see a scenario in which the team passes up quality players at much more pressing positions of need in order to take a skill player in the first round.
This would mark the second straight year that the Steelers would have selected a skill player from Alabama in the first round — blatantly ignoring their issues on the offensive line. Even if the Steelers don’t decide to go with a player from the trenches, quarterback is arguably the biggest need on this team as Mason Rudolph is currently the only QB under contract for the 2022 season (though Dwayne Haskins is expected to be retained).
I love Jameson Williams. I think that there’s a very good chance that he becomes the best wide receiver from this draft class if he can wind up with a good team in the NFL Draft. However, he tore his ACL in the National Championship Game. Not only would the Steelers be drafting a player that’s not in their top-five positions of need this year, but they would also be getting one who probably won’t be ready for the start of the season.
It’s important to take mock drafts with a grain of salt, folks. I think Jameson Williams would be an excellent addition to the Steelers, but I just can’t see Pittsburgh going this direction with so many holes to fill in 2022.